Several DLSU Lady Spikers are set to make their way to the PVL. But first, they had to get their blessing from legendary coach Ramil de Jesus.
It wasn’t the ending that De La Salle University had hoped for in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
After finishing the first round with a 6-1 record, the Lady Spikers looked poised to defend their crown.
However, several injuries hampered La Salle, which was unable to round out its form and fell short against the University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four.
While many had hoped that some key Lady Spikers would return in Season 87 for one more year of redemption, Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, Maicah Larroza, and Leila Cruz decided to apply for the inaugural PVL Draft, which will be held on July 8 at Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
Former La Salle training pool players Caroline Santos, Ysabela Bakabak, and Giliana Torres will also be joining the draft.
[ALSO READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline aspirants for inaugural 2024 PVL rookie draft]
During the first-ever PVL Draft Combine, Gagate, who is expected to be the first pick in the draft, recounted how they were able to get permission from legendary coach Ramil de Jesus.
“For us, personally, nagpaalam talaga kami nang maayos to maintain a good relationship with everyone kasi the volleyball community is really small so kailangan namin mag-maintain ng good relationship,” Gagate told reporters.
“On my part, they already expected it even before Season 86. I’m thankful din kay Coach [Ramil] na pinayagan niya ako wholeheartedly,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Consensus no. 1 pick Thea Gagate ready to propel ZUS Coffee in PVL rankings]
Cruz, who many expected to make her highly-anticipated return in Season 87 following injury, decided it was about time for her to join the pros as well.
“Super okay naman kasi 'yun talaga 'yung goal ko. If umalis ako, gusto ko super okay 'yung relationship ko with my teammates, with my coaches. 'Yun talaga 'yung pinaka-inuna ko,” said Cruz.
The same could be said for Coronel and Larroza, who made sure to maintain a good relationship with de Jesus even after their collegiate careers.
“Maayos naman ‘yung naging pagpapaalam ko sa kanila. I really made it a point na magpaalam ako ng maayos para makuha ko rin yung blessing nila as I progress through my career,” Coronel explained.
[ALSO READ: Julia Coronel ready to offer versatility to team that selects her in 2024 PVL Draft]
“Ako bumalik na lang ako sa taas nagpakita ako sa kanya, yung approach niya pa sa akin ‘oh saang team ka na?,’” Larroza recounted.
“Sabi ko ‘coach [Ramil], magpapadraft na po ako’ naka-toga pa ako noon. Umattend po kami sa thanksgiving doon na po nagpaalam nang maayos and nag part ways naman po kami in good terms,” she added.
As they go their separate ways in the PVL, what’s clear will be the bond and lessons taught by de Jesus to the Lady Spikers, which they will carry in their professional careers.